Please read these instructions carefully to ensure that your graduation day goes smoothly.
Tickets
Each participant will receive at least four tickets. We won't know whether we can offer extra tickets until early May. Departments will dispense tickets during the first week of May.
Details on academic attire
For full details about renting, purchasing, picking up and returning academic attire, please see the university's Commencement website.
Audition to be a graduation speaker
The speech needs to be five to seven minutes in length. You will need to have the entire speech prepared for the audition. If you would like to audition to be a speaker, please email or call your department's representative.
Graduation announcements
Personalized graduation announcements may be purchased through the Illini Union Bookstore, 809 S. Wright St., Champaign, or from Herff-Jones. Announcements are also available through local bookstores and copy shops of your choice.
Directions to the ceremony
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Colwell Playhouse
500 S. Goodwin Ave.
Urbana, Illinois
Guests with tickets may enter Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at 4:30 p.m.
Parking information
Street parking is free on Sundays. On weekends, parking is also free in University of Illinois parking lots along Oregon and Illinois streets in Urbana. You may also park in the underground parking garages of the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. Enter the north garages off Illinois Street or the south garages off Oregon Street. Additional parking is available in parking lots and garages along Daniel and Chalmers streets on the west side of the Quad.
See the campus parking map for more information.
Special assistance/seating for guests
If family members or guests require special assistance, please contact your department's representative. He or she can provide information about parking locations, special seating, and accessible entrances.
The day of the ceremony
Report to Krannert Center for the Performing Arts by 4:30 p.m. (meeting room TBD). Please be dressed in cap and gown when you arrive. We will not have spare caps and gowns on hand.
The convocation will begin with a procession of faculty and graduating students in academic regalia. Your name will be read as you cross the stage to receive your diploma cover. You will then return to your seat. After the singing of the Alma Mater, you will exit in the same order in which you entered.
Photographs
A professional photographer will take pictures of you as you receive your diploma cover from an LAS dean. You will be able to order these photographs and will receive information about ordering at the ceremony.
Obtaining your diploma
Because it is not possible to process grades and prepare degree lists by the day of the Commencement, diplomas will be mailed approximately six weeks after graduation.
Please go into the UI Integrate Self-Service application and enter or update "Diploma Address," which is the address the university will use for mailing your diploma.
- If the diploma is returned to the Office of the Registrar, you will be responsible for providing the correct address and paying for any forwarding mail charges, as well as a processing fee.
- If your diploma is not returned to the Office of the Registrar, you will be responsible for providing the correct address and paying for the cost of the replacement diploma.
Follow these instructions to change your name. For additional questions, contact Registration Services.
An email from the Office of the Registrar will be sent to all potential graduates about three weeks before Commencement asking them to verify their name and address and make corrections if necessary.
Questions?
If you have questions, please contact your department's representative:
- African American Studies
- Candice Jenkins, (217) 333-7781
- Anthropology
- Joyce Dowell, (217) 300-9167
- Asian American Studies
- Christine Lyke, (217) 333-3736
- Gender and Women's Studies
- Virginia Swisher, (217) 333-2990
- Latina/Latino Studies
- M. Laura Castañeda, (217) 265-0370
- Sociology
- Rebecca Riley, (217) 244-0410
